From Near-Death To Olympic Success: How Mark McMorris Can Inspire Us All

Everyone has had a time in their life where all hope feels lost. Whether it’s relationship problems, work issues, or health concerns, we know the feeling of being helpless. For snowboarder Mark McMorris, his helpless moment came after a near-death experience while on the hills in March of 2017.

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McMorris was out in the backcountry with his older brother Craig and some friends when he hit a jump.

“He hit a jump and just went a little too far to the left and it was really unfortunate as he ran into some trees,” Craig McMorris told CBC Sports. “It was a super freak accident. Mark never makes mistakes, but [in this case] he made just a tiny mistake and went too far to the left … it was awful.

The Canadian Olympic bronze medalist from 2014 was left fighting for his life. Twenty-three-year-old McMorris suffered a broken jaw, broken left arm, ruptured spleen, stable pelvic fracture, rib fractures and a collapsed left lung. He was in intensive care and required multiple surgeries to repair the damage.

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“While both the [jaw and arm] fractures were complicated injuries, the surgeries went very well and both fractures are now stabilized to heal in excellent position,” team doctor Rodney French said in a statement release by Snowboard Canada. “It is too early to speculate on a timeline for Mark’s recovery.”

The older McMorris was there at the time of Mark’s injury and helped build a “nest” as they waited for help to arrive. It took several hours before he could be airlifted to hospital.

Craig Mcmorris says brother is in intensive care, unable to talk or move.Held his hand;able to use pen to write simple words. #markmcmorris